The failure of the Andrews Labor Government to take up ADF support to enforce the South Australian border closure is a massive mistake and a backward step for the safety of all Victorians.
While the closure of the Victorian – South Australian border is a necessary measure to protect the gains made by all Victorians, Daniel Andrews has again failed to take up ADF support and instead will redeploy up to 400 frontline Victoria Police officers to enforce the closure.
This decision follows a similar refusal to accept ADF support when establishing Victoria’s catastrophic hotel quarantine program, which directly led to Victoria’s second wave and resulted in the deaths of 800 Victorians.
With the recent independent crime statistics agency data confirming offending has spiked 6 per cent in the last quarter to reach an all-time high, Daniel Andrews must not divert more frontline officers than necessary when ADF support is available.
Comments attributable Shadow Minister for Police and Community Safety, David Southwick:
“With crime continuing to rise and many police station shopfronts still closed to the public, why is Daniel Andrews not taking up offers of ADF support?
“Community safety has been abandoned by Daniel Andrews and his decision to turn his back on the ADF means fewer frontline officers will be available to keep Victorians safe in their local communities.”
